AJ Haulcy
The Miami Dolphins seemed to have set their priorities straight on how to best approach this years’ draft. By eyeing talent both through their homegrown pipeline with the University of Miami and through the examination of several positions of need, they have set up some highly appealing and pivotal draft visits. This time, the latest gives them an opportunity to see one of the draft’s most underrated safety prospects.
With safeties being very hard to find whether through free agency or the draft, finding premium safety talent at the position is key. LSU‘s AJ Haulcy could end up being the guy that bucks that trned at least for the Dolphins.
Ryan Fowler
Source: The Miami Dolphins will host LSU SAF AJ Haulcy for a 30 visit.
An Underrated Playmaker in the Secondary
Haulcy was one of college football’s most elite ball hawkers, built almost like a free safety but playing with a much more versatile mind set. Throughout his college career, no matter where he plied his trade, he was producing at an elite level. In a zone heavy scheme like Jeff Hafley utilizes, he is a dream.
Over four seasons, he amassed 347 tackles, 4.5 for loss, and 10 interceptions, eight of which came over the last two seasons. To top it all off, PFF gave him an 86.6 grade, ranked 27th amongst all safeties., Combine that with his 4.52 speed and there is no reason why Haulcy can’t find himself within the first round of the draft.
Draft Positioning and Miami’s Strategic Flexibility
The main issue for the Dolphins is being able to find premier talent while also knowing that at No. 11, they are at a disadvantage. Several secondary players in this year’s draft may have played themselves out of the Dolphins’ draft range. Thus, the team is casting a wide net that Haulcy falls under.
It is also entirely plausible that the Dolphins end up picking him in a later round with one of several Day 2 picks. The draft is certainly deep when it comes to secondary help, so with this Haulcy visit, the Dolphins could just be making sure they can get the best guy possible at the position.
For now, this Haulcy visit could just be one of many for the Dolphins as they prepare for next month’s draft. After all, after missing out on LSU’s Pro Day, the Dolphins may have missed out on a chance to scout Haulcy’s LSU teammate in Mansoor Delane, who many say has a chance to slide to the Dolphins.
Still, two LSU Tigers could end up being better than one, especially for a highly green and inexperienced secondary group. For the most part, there could be value to be found in pairing up two teammates to further bolster that secondary.
The bottom line is that by doing their due diligence, the Dolphins are covering all the bases necessary to fine tune the moves they wish to make in the draft. Haulcy may not even be their first choice, but it is all about analyzing those at positions of need that could produce right away. For a new regime, that’s all that truly matters.